Fruits of the forest

Taking part in the Portumna Forest Marathon is a spiritual experience: it tests the body physically and it soothes the mind in equal proportions. The runners, crew and marshals blend in with the environment and although there is plenty of clapping and encouragement there is a serenity about the place. People talk a little softer and smile a little wider. When those inevitable Irish rain showers put in their short but frequent appearances, everyone looks up at the rain drops through the leaves and marvels at the reflections of the rainbows in the puddles, appreciating the vital role played by the rain in providing such a luscious backdrop for the run.

There another reason that this Marathon remains one of the most popular ultra events in the country. Portumna, while rural, is also very accessible from all four corners of the country.

By the time night descends on a summer Saturday night, over a thousand competitors would have completed one of the four races on offer: 100km, 50km, marathon and half marathon. Runners of all different abilities run together and the event is a source of great motivation, where training tips and running experiences are shared en route and everyone leaves determined to move up to the next distance the following year.

Portumna has become a ‘must do’ event for those who know of its magic. One of Ireland’s best-known ultra marathoners, Gerry Duffy, who has completed 32 marathons in 32 days and 10 full distance Iron Man events in 10 consecutive days, says: ‘Part of its attraction is that it is organised by runners. Its founder, Sebastien Locteau, is a French native who lives here and runs ‘Sports Ireland’, a high performance coaching company.

Despite the length of the four different races on offer, at no time are any of the 800 runners more than two kilometres from the race headquarters. It’s a looped course, which works well with such a large group continuously running the 5km trail circuit. For half and full marathon runners, it meant four or eight loops with a small addition, while for the 50km runners did ten laps. A few mad souls, 31 of them, completed 20 laps to ensure they covered 100km.

From an organiser’s point of view, looped courses make obvious sense. Locteau explains that running laps means progress can be monitored both by runner and by the organisation. “It simplifies health and safety and makes refreshments and marshalling much easier to deliver, but most important is that laps are great for building camaraderie. I have seen how over the years participants support each other by a glance, a smile or a thumbs up as they pass.”

Race headquarters, which runners pass every 5km, buzzes with atmosphere, which helps to lift waning spirits. Over the course of the day relationships are built up and friendships forged, both among runners and race crew. The sell-out crowd in Portumna bears testimony to the popularity of this novel event.

If you can’t make it for the race next year on 13 June try to visit the park anyway – There are four looped trails ranging from a multi-access trail of 1km, to a long trail of over 10km for walkers and cyclists.

There is an old abbey within the Park, which dates back to the 15th century. The 17th century castle nearby, on which considerable restoration work has been carried out, was the seat of the Earl of Clanrickarde. There is also a lake – ideal for cooling the limbs after a long run. Portumna Forest Marathon has it all.